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Statement on SSG/R in the context of the OSCE - examples from participating States and the OSCE’s way ahead as delivered by Ambassador Arman Kirakossian at the 68th Joint Meeting

14.02.2018

Statement

on SSG/R in the context of the OSCE - examples from participating States and the OSCE’s way ahead as delivered by Ambassador Arman Kirakossian at the 68th Joint Meeting of the Forum for Security Co-operation and the Permanent Council

February 14, 2018

Mr. Chairperson,

At the outset, we wish to thank the Slovak FSC Chairmanship and the Italian OSCE Chairmanship for organizing this special FSC-PC meeting on SSG/R. We would also like to extend our thanks to all speakers for their interesting and thorough presentations.

Armenia firmly believes that well-functioning security system is the key pillar for strengthening the comprehensive security. Hence professional, effective and accountable security institutions promote human rights and democratic principles, the rule of law and good governance. Having this in mind, Armenia has embarked on a wide scale security sector reform with a holistic approach embracing all major national stakeholders of the security system. The Government of Armenia undertakes measures to strengthen its Armed Forces, the Police, Intelligence, Border-Guard service. Those measures are intended not only to institutionally consolidate them, but also to further promote the protection of human rights, transparency, democratic control and civilian oversight.

In this vein, it is worth mentioning that the reform process was possible to deliver in Armenia thanks to our bilateral and multilateral partnerships with OSCE, CSTO, NATO and DCAF. Here, I would like to highlight the indispensable role of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, which was instrumental in extending the Organization’s support to Armenian authorities and civil society. During the process of transformation into parliamentary republic, Armenia strengthens democratic oversight of elected representatives of its people over security system. Unfortunately, not all participating States of our region share the same level of ambitions, when it comes both to the Security Sector Reform, including Democratic Oversight of the Armed Forces and OSCE engagement in implementing our joint commitments.

We are fully committed to continuing projects and initiatives on SSG/R on the basis of the positive progress achieved in the framework of the Armenia cooperation program. Armenia looks forward to the close cooperation with the OSCE participating states and executive structures.

Let me conclude by wishing every success to the speakers of today’s meeting in advancing the agenda of the SSG/R.